In the inspection reports, each violation in the Food Temperature/Time Requirements category is 5 demerits; in the Personnel/Handling/Source Requirements category, 4 demerits; and in the Facility and Equipment Requirements, 3 demerits. Zero is a perfect score, while 100 demerits is the worst possible score.

Each Wednesday, the Advocate publishes inspection results from the previous week. All demerits are reported, but only those in the categories of Food Temperature/Time Requirements and Personnel/Handling/Source Requirements are detailed.

FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS FOR WEEK ENDING APRIL 4

Mexico Tipico, 421 N. Virginia St., Port Lavaca. Demerits: 40. Improper cold-hold temperature. Wash hands in between tasks. Employee drinks need lids and straws. Cover food in walk-in cooler and other coolers. Must use gloves when cutting vegetables. Date-label food with a seven-day use-by date. Sanitizer rags must be kept in sanitizer buckets. Manager did not demonstrate knowledge. Need thermometer in white refrigerator. Clean the ice machine. All items must go through the three-step process of wash, rinse and sanitize. Do not cover up the results of the last inspection posted on the wall. Five facility or equipment violations.

Bayside Seafood Restaurant, 2055 state Highway 35 North, Port Lavaca. Demerits: 15. Improper cold-hold temperature. Discard any potentially hazardous foods that have been in the cooler more than four hours. Do not store flour sifter in the trash can. Clean the ice machine. Two facility or equipment violations.